TOYBOX///ALEXANDER GIRARD'S PLAYTHINGS…

In a world populated by a seemingly endless supply of soulless vinyl toys, it's nice to see beautifully crafted, handmade wooden figures like these replicas of renowned mid-century designer ALEXANDER GIRARD's 1963 originals. Revered for his work in textile and furniture design, Girard was known to sculpt his own semi-abstract toys out of wood which he kept on display in his home in Santa Fe at a time when the icons of childhood were thought of as nothing more than disposable novelties. "Toys," said the artist, "represent a microcosm of man's world and dreams; they exhibit fantasy, imagination, humor and love." In keeping with Girard's original vision, the VITRA DESIGN MUSEUM has reissued six of the artist's personal figures with exacting attention to detail, which can be found in select museum stores and midcentury emporiums like Design Within Reachthe music of cosmos download for around $140 per figure...